Outfielder Torii Hunter offered a hint about his free-agent status Monday morning. That is, he’s not planning on staying team-less very long.

“It’s going to be quick,” he said about his job search during an interview on MLB Network.

What Hunter didn’t say is of more interest. Namely, where’s he heading and what’s he going to get.

First, the how much. Hunter is coming off what arguably was his best season in his five years with the Angels. He hit .313—his first season over .300—and scored more runs and had more RBIs while playing in fewer games than he did in 2011.

So is he in line for a raise? You would think no way, considering he made $18 million last year and is 37. A two-year deal worth $20 million to $25 million, plus an option, would be fair.

But based on the only free-agent deals we’ve seen so far, teams appear more willing than ever to overpay free agents this winter.

David Ross, a 35-year-old backup catcher, nearly doubled his salary when he agreed to a two-year, $6.2 million contract with the Boston Red Sox last week. The Los Angeles Dodgers gave Brandon League a three-year, $22.5 million contract to work the seventh and eighth innings, a deal that left an agent of another free-agent reliever feeling “very pleased.”

Now, about Hunter’s destination. The Dodgers are said to be interested, but Hunter has spent 16 years in the AL and is too wise to take on the challenge of adjusting to a new league at this stage of his career.

What he wants is to finally reach the World Series, and any number of AL contenders could give him a chance. His most recent team, the Los Angeles Angels, looks to be the only one not interested in signing him. Hunter says he hasn’t talked contract with the Angels in months and realizes he isn’t in their plans.

The Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees make the most sense. Detroit, believe it or not, is most likely to win a bidding war. Hunter lives in the Dallas area and values being close to his family, which makes the Rangers appealing. And the Yankees, well, are the Yankees.

Any veteran of Hunter’s caliber who has spent his career trying to beat the Yankees would savor a chance to join them. New York, remember, used to pummel the Twins when Hunter played in Minnesota. With the Yankees looking for a right fielder to replace Nick Swisher, they have an opening.

The Yankees, however, are looking to trim payroll and appear the most unlikely to offer Hunter a raise. But if playing in the World Series is his goal, they are the team that pretty much can guarantee a spot in the postseason. They have missed out only once since 1995.

Would he take less money to sign with the Yankees? If Hunter is right about his plan of signing soon, then we could know by the end of the week.